After April the Giraffe’s Calf Is Born, See 5 Dramatic Animal Births

After hundreds of thousands watched April the giraffe give birth to her calf in Animal Adventure Park in upstate New York on Saturday, we take a look at some of the most dramatic animal birth videos from our archive.

Bald Eagles

Like April’s calf, the eagles hatched while many watched their progress online after the National Arboretum in Washington DC installed cameras near their nest. After hatching later than expected as thousands watched, the eaglets caused quite a stir as they shredded a fish caught by one of the parents. Here you can see the hatching’s best moments.

HIGHLIGHTS OF CUTE BABY EAGLETS FROM D.C.’S EAGLE CAM

Twin Calves

BIRTHING TWO CALVES

In a dramatic live birth, a veterinarian had to physically pull twin calves out of their mother, who has been in labour for four hours–far longer than the normal length of time for cows. As with giraffes, the cows fall to the ground once free from their mother’s womb.

Serval Cat

SERVAL BIRTH After stalking his subject for several weeks the cameraman was rewarded with a rare opportunity to capture a wild serval birth.

The generally shy and solitary serval was captured giving birth after a videographer won her trust. Like April, she had to remove the birth membrane quickly after the kittens are born–and they soon fluffed up into patterned, furry, purring baby cats.

Cockroach

In this brutal labour scenario, a female cockroach expelled her egg sac while being devoured by fire ants. The cockroach nymphs then hatch out of the egg sac right into the fire ant enclosure.

Header Image: Eaglets at the National Arboretum in Washington DC, like April, had thousands of people watching their every move as they hatched. These recently-hatched steppe eagle chicks are also born hungry and feed on carrion, small mammals, and other birds. PHOTOGRAPH BY IGOR SHPILENOK, WILD WONDERS OF EUROPE